Lower body training assist device

ABSTRACT

A lower body assist device for assisting a user while performing lower body workouts is provided. The lower body assist device generally comprises handle bars, a frame, and friction reduction apparatuses. The handle bars generally comprise a shaft and support bar having handles. The frame generally comprises a main trunk and frame supports, wherein said frame supports are connected to said main trunk. The method generally entails obtaining the device, bending over and grasping the device, and moving from a starting location to a desired location. A user may also squat while grasping the device before moving from a starting location to a desired location.

CROSS REFERENCES

This application is a continuation of a co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 17/194,154 filed Mar. 5, 2021, which claimspriority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/985,803, filed onMar. 5, 2020, in which all applications are incorporated herein in theirentirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject matter of the present disclosure refers generally to a lowerbody assist device for assisting a user while performing lower bodyworkouts.

BACKGROUND

Squats are an excellent exercise for working out the muscles of the leg,including quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves. They also engage theglutes and back to create an anabolic environment, which promotesbody-wide muscle building. Additionally, when performed correctly,squats can engage the joints of the lower body, strengthening themuscles around the joints so that the joints ultimately become morestable. Walking while in a squatting position can provide a fantasticlower body workout as well. In addition to the benefits of a regularsquat, a duck walk can increase stamina and increase flexibility in thehip joints, which can help reduce back pain for many individuals.

Unfortunately, performing squats unsupported is not for everyone. Forsome, the squat can be quite difficult due to the balance required toperform a full range squat correctly. For others, joint pain may preventthem from performing squats and walking squats unaided. This isparticularly true for elderly people. Other people may just be too weakto perform a full range squat. For instance, those undergoing rehab maybe too weak to perform a full range squat unaided. Though theseindividuals would benefit by performing these exercises aided, therecurrently is not a device on the market that can assist with theperformance of the exercise.

Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a lower body assist devicethat can provide support to those who are unable to perform theseexercises unaided.

DESCRIPTION

A system and method for assisting a user while performing a lower bodyexercise is provided. In one aspect, the system and method of thepresent disclosure are designed to allow users to perform workouts theyotherwise might not be able to perform unassisted. In another aspect,the system is designed to collect workout data and provide it to a user.Generally, the system assists a user while performing lower bodyworkouts. The system generally comprises a handle bar, frame, andfriction reduction apparatus. The system may also comprise a controlboard and a display, wherein the control board is configured to receiveworkout data and may then present the workout data via the display.Workout data may be collected by a sensor operably connected to thecontrol board. A computing device may receive workout data from thecontrol board via wireless communication device and present it to theuser within a user interface.

The handle bars generally comprise a shaft and support bar. In somepreferred embodiments, the support bars may be attached directly to themain trunk without the need of a shaft. The shaft is operably connectedto the support bar in a way such that when the shaft is connected to theframe, the ends of the support bar are positioned above the frame. Theframe may be defined as the central frame of the lower body assistdevice and comprises a main trunk and frame supports, wherein said framesupports are connected to said main trunk. The main trunk is a tubularor bar like entity have a superior end and inferior end and ispreferably rigidly attached to the shaft of the handle bars. A frictionreduction apparatus attached to the inferior end of the frame allows theuser to push the lower body assist device in the bent over or partiallysquatted position without resistance that may otherwise make a workouttoo difficult.

The foregoing summary has outlined some features of the system andmethod of the present disclosure so that those skilled in the pertinentart may better understand the detailed description that follows.Additional features that form the subject of the claims will bedescribed hereinafter. Those skilled in the pertinent art shouldappreciate that they can readily utilize these features for designing ormodifying other structures for carrying out the same purpose of thesystem and method disclosed herein. Those skilled in the pertinent artshould also realize that such equivalent designs or modifications do notdepart from the scope of the system and method of the presentdisclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentdisclosure will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lower body assist device in whichtechniques described herein may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lower body assist device in whichtechniques described herein may be implemented.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a lower body assist device in whichtechniques described herein may be implemented.

FIG. 4 is an environmental view of a lower body assist device in whichtechniques described herein may be implemented.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating certain method steps of a methodembodying features consistent with the principles of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a system embodying features consistent with theprinciples of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the Summary above and in this Detailed Description, and the claimsbelow, and in the accompanying drawings, reference is made to particularfeatures, including method steps, of the invention. It is to beunderstood that the disclosure of the invention in this specificationincludes all possible combinations of such particular features. Forexample, where a particular feature is disclosed in the context of aparticular aspect or embodiment of the invention, or a particular claim,that feature can also be used, to the extent possible, in combinationwith/or in the context of other particular aspects of the embodiments ofthe invention, and in the invention generally. Where reference is madeherein to a method comprising two or more defined steps, the definedsteps can be carried out in any order or simultaneously (except wherethe context excludes that possibility), and the method can include oneor more other steps which are carried out before any of the definedsteps, between two of the defined steps, or after all the defined steps(except where the context excludes that possibility). As used herein,the term “comprises” and grammatical equivalents thereof are used hereinto mean that other components, steps, etc. are optionally present. Forexample, a system “comprising” components A, B, and C can contain onlycomponents A, B, and C, or can contain not only components A, B, and C,but also one or more other components.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate embodiments of a system 100 and the various methods500 of use for assisting a user 120 while performing a lower bodyexercise that may also indirectly exercise one's core, neck, andshoulders. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of the various components ofa lower body assist device 100 that may be used to provide support for auser 120 who is performing a lower body workout. FIG. 2 illustrates aside view of the various components of a lower body assist device 100that may be used to provide support for a user 120 who is performing alower body workout. FIG. 3 illustrates a lower body assist lower bodyassist device 100 that may be turned by rotating the handle section,which alters the direction of the wheel attached to the inferior end ofthe main trunk 110A. FIG. 4 illustrates how a user 120 may use the lowerbody assist device 100 to assist with a lower body workout. FIG. 5illustrates a method a user 120 may use to perform a walking squat usingthe lower body assist lower body assist device 100. It is understoodthat the various method steps associated with the methods of the presentdisclosure may be carried out by a user 120 using the lower body assistdevice 100 shown in FIGS. 1-4 . Although the lower body assist device100 and methods 500 of the present disclosure have been discussed foruse within the fitness field, one of skill in the art will appreciatethat the inventive subject matter disclosed herein may be utilized inother fields or for other applications in which a lower body assistlower body assist device 100 may be needed. For instance, the lower bodyassist device 100 could be used in rehabilitation settings.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 , the system 100 generally comprises handlebars 105, a frame 110, and friction reduction apparatuses 115. In apreferred embodiment, the handle bars 105 are connected to a superiorend of the frame 110 and friction reduction apparatuses 115 are attachedto the inferior end of the frame 110, thus allowing a user 120 to usethe system 100 to assist while performing an exercise such as a walkingsquat. In another preferred embodiment, the system 100 may furthercomprise a reflective device, which may allow a user 120 to use thedevice without bending their neck to look in the direction they aregoing. In yet another preferred embodiment, the system 100 may furthercomprise a control board configured to collect workout data. The controlboard is preferably connected to a display such that it may present theworkout data to a user 120 of the system 100. The workout data istransmitted to the control board by a sensor configured to collect theworkout data. The system 100 may be constructed in a way such that thehandle bars 105, frame 110, and/or friction reduction apparatuses 115are one unit. For instance, the handle bars 105 and frame 110 may befused together as a single unit. Alternatively, the handle bars 105,frame 110, and friction reduction apparatuses 115 may be constructedseparately and combined at a later time. For instance, a shaft 105A ofthe handle bars 105 may be constructed to telescopically insert into themain trunk 110A of the frame 110 at a later time to create a functioningsystem 100.

The handle bars 105 generally comprise a shaft 105A and support bar105B. In some preferred embodiments, the support bars 105B may beattached directly to the main trunk 110A without the need of a shaft105A. The shaft 105A is operably connected to the support bar 105B in away such that when the shaft 105A is connected to the frame 110, theends of the support bar 105B are positioned above the frame 110. Typesof support bars 105B that may be used by the lower body assist device100 include, but are not limited to, flatlander, plano, riser, bullhorn,drop, aero, cruiser, and butterfly. In a preferred embodiment, the lowerbody assist device 100 uses flatlander support bars 105B, which allow auser 120 to control the direction of the lower body assist device 100while in use. Some embodiments of handle bars 105 may further comprisegrips on either end of said support bar 105B, which may provide agripping surface that allows a user 120 to better control the handlebars 105. In one embodiment, the grips may be contoured in a way suchthat an ergonomic gripping surface is created. In another preferredembodiment, the grips may be textured in a way that increases grip forceof a user 120. In some preferred embodiment, the shaft 105A may compriseat least one aperture 125. A user 120 may insert the shaft 105A into theframe 110 and use the at least one aperture 125 of the shaft 105A andframe 110 to lock the lower body assist device 100 into a desiredposition. In another preferred embodiment, the shaft 105A may beoperably connected to the frame 110 in a way such that a user 120 mayturn the lower body assist device 100 about a central axis by applyingforce via the support bars 105B.

The frame 110 may be defined as the central frame of the lower bodyassist device 100 and comprises a main trunk 110A and frame supports110B, wherein said frame supports 110B are connected to said main trunk110A. The main trunk 110A is a tubular or bar like entity having asuperior end and inferior end. The main trunk 110A is preferably rigidlyattached to the shaft 105A of the handle bars 105, as illustrated inFIGS. 1, 2, and 4 . For instance, a lower body assist device 100comprising handle bars 105, a frame 110, and three swivel wheels may beturned by a user 120 via manipulation of the handle bars 105, which inturn causes the wheels to swivel in the direction that the user 120wishes to go. However, there may be embodiments in which no main trunk110A exists and instead the shaft 105A acts as the main trunk 110A ofthe device. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 , the maintrunk 110A of the frame 110 may be configured to accept the shaft 105Aof the handle bars 105 such that they are slideably secured to oneanother. By moving the shaft 105A about the main trunk 110A, the handlebars 105 of the lower body assist device 100 may be raised or lowered,thus altering the height of the lower body assist device 100 by changingthe location of the handle bars 105 relative the inferior end of theframe 110. In a preferred embodiment, a user 120 may lock the handlebars 105 relative to the inferior end of the frame 110 via a lockingelement 127 and at least one aperture 125 as shown in FIG. 3 .Apparatuses that may act as the locking element 127 include, but are notlimited to, push-pull pins, clamps, set knobs, snap locks, springbuttons, and clutch locks, or any combination thereof. By locking thehandle bars 105 in place via a locking element 127, a user 120 may fixthe height to a desired level before using the lower body assist device100 to assist the user 120 with a lower body workout.

The frame supports 110B are tubular or bar like entities having a trunkend and a friction end, wherein the trunk end is attached to the maintrunk 110A and the friction end is attached to a friction reductionapparatus 115. The frame supports 110B may attach to the main trunk 110Abetween the superior end and inferior end and are situated such that theframe 110 created by the main trunk 110A and frame supports 110B cansupport itself and the handle bars 105 in an upright position, asillustrated in FIGS. 1-4 . The frame supports 110B preferably extendfrom the main trunk 110A and in a direction away from one another. Theangle in which the frame supports 110B is connected to the main trunk110A is preferably acute. In embodiments of the lower body assist device100 comprising only two frame supports 110B, the frame supports 110Bpreferably form an obtuse angle with each other, as illustrated in FIGS.1-4 . However, the frame supports 110B may make obtuse, acute, andperpendicular angles with each other and with the main trunk 110Awithout departing from the inventive subject matter herein. In apreferred embodiment, the lower body assist device 100 comprises twoframe supports 110B that are attached to the main trunk 110A. However,in some preferred embodiments, the frame supports 110B may be configuredsuch that they are removably attached to the main trunk 110A or attachedto the main trunk 110A via a hinge, wherein a user 120 may remove saidframe supports 110B or fold said frame supports 110B to reduce the sizeof the profile of the lower body assist device 100 prior to storage. Inanother preferred embodiment, a locking element may be used to attachthe frame supports 110B to the main trunk 110A or keep the framesupports 110B in an extended position.

In one preferred embodiment, the frame supports 110B may be telescoping.A user 120 may alter the length of the telescoping frame supports 110Bto alter the position of the handle bars 105. The frame supports 110Bmay be locked into a certain length using the at least one aperture 125of the frame supports 110B and a locking element 127. In anotherpreferred embodiment, the frame supports 110B may be rotatably attachedto the main trunk 110A, allowing a user 120 to alter the angle in whichthe frame supports 110B make with the trunk 110A. In one preferredembodiment, the angle created by the main trunk 110A and the floor isnot ninety degrees so that rotating the frame supports 110B about themain trunk 110A causes the angle made by the main trunk 110A and thefloor to change. Depending on the side in which the frame supports 110Bare positioned relative the handle bars 105, increasing the anglecreated between a first support and a second support would cause theangle between the main trunk 110A and the floor to decrease, whereasdecreasing the angle created between a first support and a secondsupport would cause the angle between the main trunk 110A and floor toincrease. In yet another preferred embodiment, the frame supports 110Bmay be slidably attached to the main trunk 110A, which may allow a user120 to change the angle the main trunk 110A makes with the floor.Depending on the side in which the frame supports 110B are positionedrelative the handle bars 105, the angle created by the floor and maintrunk 110A will increase as one slides the trunk end of the framesupports 110B closer to the inferior end of the main trunk 110A, whereassliding the trunk end of the frame supports 110B toward the superior endof the main trunk 110A may cause the angle created by the floor and maintrunk 110A to decrease. By allowing a user 120 to adjust the angle themain trunk 110A creates with the floor, these embodiments also allow auser 120 to alter the position of the handle bars 105. This is importantsince this grants a user 120 the ability to alter the lower body assistdevice 100 in way that suits said user's 120 particular height andbuild.

A friction reduction apparatus 115 attached to the inferior end of theframe 110 allows the user 120 to push the lower body assist device 100in the bent over or partially squatted position without resistance thatmay otherwise make a workout too difficult. Items that may be used asfriction reduction apparatus 115 include, but are not limited to, skis,tracks, pads, and wheels, or any combination thereof. In the preferredembodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 , the lower body assist device100 may use wheels as the friction reduction apparatus 115. Wheels maybe attached to the inferior end of the main trunk 110A and framesupports 110B such that they may allow a user 120 to more easily performa workout while using the lower body assist device 100 by reducingfriction and assisting with turning of the lower body assist device 100.Types of wheels that may be used by the lower body assist device 100include, but are not limited to, in-line skate wheels, spinner wheels,bicycle wheels, skateboard wheels, or any combination thereof. Thewheels used in the preferred embodiment are spinner wheels. In anotherpreferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 3 , the lower body assistdevice 100 may comprise a two or more types of wheels. For instance, thewheel attached to the main trunk 110A may be an in-line skate wheel andthe wheels attached to the frame supports 110B may be spinner wheels. Inone preferred embodiment, a user 120 may toggle a lock 116 on the wheelsthat may adjust the rolling resistance of the wheels. This may allow auser 120 to alter the difficulty of a workout assisted by the lower bodyassist device 100.

The lower body assist device 100 may be used by a user 120 for supportwhile performing a lower body workout by leaning over the lower bodyassist device 100 and gripping the handles. The user 120 may then beginto walk in a bent over or partially squatted position and direct thelower body assist device 100 to a desired location with at least onetype of friction reduction apparatus 115 being used to control theresistance experienced by the user 120. For instance, a lower bodyassist device 100 comprising two frame supports 110B may use one wheelattached to the main trunk 110A and two tracks attached to the framesupports 110B to reduce the amount of friction applied to the lower bodyassist device 100 as a user 120 pushes it during a workout. Forinstance, tennis balls attached to the main trunk 110A and framesupports 110B may act as ski glides to reduce friction as the lower bodyassist device 100 is pushed across a gym floor. In one preferredembodiment, the lower body assist device 100 may further comprise areflective device 107, which may allow a user 120 to move towards adesired location without having to look towards said desired location.In a preferred embodiment, the reflective device 107 is attached to thehandle bars 105 of the lower body assist device 100. The reflectivematerial of the reflective device 107 is preferably made from a materialthat has non-specular reflective properties. For instance, a piece ofwood with a matte paint coating wood has diffuse reflective properties.For instance, clear standing water has specular reflective properties.

As mentioned previously, some embodiments of the system 100 may furthercomprise a control board 615, as illustrated in FIG. 6 . The controlboard 615 preferably comprises at least one circuit and microchip. Inanother preferred embodiment, the control board 615 may further comprisea wireless communication device 617, which may allow the control board615 to receive workout data from a sensor 616. The microchip of thecontrol board 615 comprises a processor 620 and memory. The processor620 may be defined as a multipurpose, clock driven, register based,digital-integrated circuit which accepts binary data as input, processesit according to instructions stored in its memory, and provides resultsas output. The processor 620 is configured to perform the operationsdisclosed herein based on instructions stored within the system 100. Theprocessor 620 may process instructions for execution within thecomputing device 610, including instructions stored in memory or on astorage device, to display graphical information for a graphical userinterface (GUI) on an external input/output device, such as a display618. The processor 620 may provide for coordination of the othercomponents of a computing device 610, such as control of user interfaces611, applications run by a computing device 610, and wirelesscommunication by a communication device 617 of the computing device 610.

The processor 620 of the control board 615 may be any processor ormicroprocessor suitable for executing instructions. In some embodiments,the processor 620 may have a memory device therein or coupled theretosuitable for storing workout data, or other information or materialdisclosed herein. In some instances, the processor 620 may be acomponent of a larger computing device 610. In a preferred embodiment,the processor 620 may receive workout data via the wirelesscommunication device 617, wherein the workout data comprises distancedata, repetition data, and time data. In another preferred embodiment,the processor 620 may receive instructions from a computing device 610that may instruct the control board 615 to begin a workout cycle. Forinstance, a user 120 may choose a particular workout via the userinterface 611 of a computing device 610 operably connected to thecontrol board 615 of the system 100, which may cause the system 100 tostart said workout.

A computing device 610 may be implemented in a number of differentforms, including, but not limited to, servers, multipurpose computers,mobile computers, etc. For instance, a computing device 610 may beimplemented in a multipurpose computer that acts as a personal computerfor a user 120, such as a laptop computer. For instance, components froma computing device 610 may be combined in a way such that a mobilecomputing device is created, such as mobile phone. Additionally, acomputing device 610 may be made up of a single computer or multiplecomputers working together over a network. For instance, a computingdevice 610 may be implemented as a single server or as a group ofservers working together over and Local Area Network (LAN), such as arack server system. Computing devices 610 may communicate via a wired orwireless connection. For instance, wireless communication may occurusing a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other such wireless communication device617.

The computing device 610 preferably comprises a user interface 611 thatallows a user 120 to interact with the control board 615. A userinterface 611 may be defined as a space where interactions between auser 120 and the system 100 may take place. In an embodiment, theinteractions may take place in a way such that a user 120 may controlthe operations of the system 100. A user interface 611 may include, butis not limited to operating systems, command line user interfaces,conversational interfaces, web-based user interfaces, zooming userinterfaces, touch screens, task-based user interfaces, touch userinterfaces, text-based user interfaces, intelligent user interfaces, andgraphical user interfaces, or any combination thereof. The system 100may present data of the user interface 611 to the user 120 via a display618 operably connected to the processor 620. A display 618 may bedefined as an output device that communicates data that may include, butis not limited to, visual, auditory, cutaneous, kinesthetic, olfactory,and gustatory, or any combination thereof.

A sensor 616 of the system 100 may be used to collect workout data,which may be used by the system 100 to determine the amount of work auser 120 using the system 100 has performed. The sensor 616 is operablyconnected to the control board 615 in a way such that any workout datacollected by the sensor 616 may be transmitted to the control board 615and stored in memory. In an embodiment, the sensor 616 comprises anaccelerometer, which may measure workout data in the form ofacceleration. The system 100 may utilize the acceleration experienced bythe system 100 as input to be analyzed to determine how many repetitionsa user 120 has performed. In another preferred embodiment, the sensor616 may comprise global positioning system (GPS), which may measureworkout data in the form of geospatial data. Once the processor 620receives the geospatial data from the GPS, the processor 620 mayestimate a distance traveled by the user 120. Geospatial data may bespatial data including, but not limited to, numeric data, vector data,and raster data, or any combination thereof. Numeric data may bestatistical data which includes a geographical component or field thatcan be joined with vector files so the data may be queried and displayedas a layer on a map in a geographic information system (GIS). Vectordata may be data that has a spatial component, or X, Y coordinatesassigned to it. Vector data may contain sets of points, lines, orpolygons that are referenced in a geographic space. Raster data may bedata in a .JPG, .TIF, .GIF or other picture file format. For instance, amap scanned in a flatbed scanner may be considered raster data.

FIG. 4 provides an environmental view 400 of the system 100, wherein auser 120 is performing a lower body exercise using said lower bodyassist device 100. As shown, a user 120 positions themselves behind thelower body assist device 100 so that they may bend at the waste and gripthe handle bars 105 while keeping their back straight. The height of thelower body assist device 100 is low enough such that a user 120 may bendat the waste at least at a 150-degree angle, wherein a 180-degree angleis defined as the angle created by a user 120 from feet to head whenstanding straight up. The angle a user's 120 arms make with their bodywhen extended from said body is preferably no less than 45-degrees andno more than 135-degrees measured from the user's 120 feet to shouldersto hands. The user's 120 arms are preferably extended such that they arestraight when a user 120 is gripping the handle bars 105 of the lowerbody assist device 100. At no point should the handle bars 105 of thelower body assist device 100 be higher than the shoulders of the user120 when said user 120 is in a starting position.

Alternatively, a user 120 may grip the handle bars 105 in a bent overposition as described above but then bend at the knees while keepingtheir back straight to assume a partially squatted position. The user120 may then push the lower body assist device 100 while remaining inthe partially squatted position, which will work the anterior muscles ofthe lower body more than a purely bent over position would. The user 120may desire to bend their knees even further until their thighs areparallel to the ground, using the lower body assist device 100 as asupport to prevent falling. In this crouched position, a user 120 mayperform a duck walk while minimizing stress to the knees thanks tosupport from the lower body assist device 100. Regardless of the methodused, a user 120 is to keep their back and their arms straight. Theposition assumed using this stance will exert a downward force on thelower body assist device 100 since the height of the lower body assistdevice 100 should be no higher than the user's 120 shoulders in saidbent position. This downward force will provide resistance to the user120 as they attempt to push the lower body assist device 100 from astarting position to a desired location. Further, by forcing oneself tostay in this position, the user 120 may indirectly work their core,shoulders, and neck in addition to the muscles of their lower body.

FIG. 5 provides a flow chart 500 illustrating certain, preferred methodsteps that may be used to carry out the method of using the lower bodyassist device 100 to perform a lower body workout. Step 505 indicatesthe beginning of the method. During step 510 the user 120 may obtain alower body assist device 100 and adjust it to fit their body type. Onceobtained/adjusted, the user 120 may position their body behind the lowerbody assist device 100 so that they may grip the lower body assistdevice 100 when bending from the waste during step 515. In a preferredembodiment, a user's 120 arms make at most a 45-degree angle with thechest while gripping the lower body assist device 100. The user 120 maythen decide which exercise to perform during step 520. In some preferredembodiments, the user 120 may manipulate the control board 615 and/oruser interface 611 to select a workout, which may then be presented tothem via a display 618. Based on the results of the determination, theuser 120 may take an action during step 525. If the user 120 determinesthey would like to perform a bent over walk, the user 120 may proceed tostep 526, wherein the user 120 may bend at the waste and grip the handlebars 105. If the user 120 determines they would like to perform awalking squat, the user 120 may proceed to step 527, wherein the user120 may bend at the waste, bend the knees, and grip the handle bars 105.If the user 120 determines they would like to perform a duck walk, theuser 120 may proceed to step 528, wherein the user 120 may bend at thewaste, bend the knees so that their thighs are parallel to the floor,and grip the handle bars 105.

Once the user 120 has assumed one of the exercise positions of steps526, 527 and 528, the user 120 may push the lower body assist device 100during step 530. In the method presented herein, the user 120 may pushthe lower body assist device 100 to a desired location from a startinglocation. Alternatively, a user 120 may push the lower body assistdevice 100 until muscle exhaustion. In a preferred embodiment, a user120 will have selected a starting location and a desired locationbeforehand and perform a number of sets of the selected exercise. Oncethe user 120 has pushed the lower body assist device 100 to the desiredlocation, the user 120 may determine if they would like to push thelower body assist device 100 to the starting location during step 535.The user may take an action of this determination during step 540. If auser 120 determines they would not like to push the lower body assistdevice 100 to the starting location, the user 120 may proceed toterminate method step 550. If the user 120 determines they would like topush the lower body assist device 100 to the starting location, the user120 may do so during step 545. Once the user 120 has pushed the lowerbody assist device 100 to the starting location, the method may proceedto the terminate method step 545.

The implementations set forth in the foregoing description do notrepresent all implementations consistent with the subject matterdescribed herein. Instead, they are merely some examples consistent withaspects related to the described subject matter. Although a fewvariations have been described in detail above, other modifications oradditions are possible. In particular, further features and/orvariations can be provided in addition to those set forth herein. Forexample, the implementations described above can be directed to variouscombinations and subcombinations of the disclosed features and/orcombinations and subcombinations of several further features disclosedabove. In addition, the logic flow depicted in the accompanying figuresand/or described herein do not necessarily require the particular ordershown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. It will bereadily understood to those skilled in the art that various otherchanges in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts andmethod stages which have been described and illustrated in order toexplain the nature of this inventive subject matter can be made withoutdeparting from the principles and scope of the inventive subject matter.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of using a lower body assist devicecomprising steps of: obtaining a lower body assist device having ahandle bar, frame, and plurality of friction reduction apparatuses,wherein said handle bar is secured to a superior end of a main trunk ofsaid frame via a shaft, wherein said handle bar is used to rotate saidmain trunk about a central axis, wherein a first frame support and asecond frame support are secured to said main trunk between saidsuperior end and an inferior end, wherein an angle, created by said maintrunk and ground level of a floor that is substantially flat, is lessthan ninety degrees and in a direction between said first frame supportand said second frame support, wherein said first frame support and saidsecond frame support create an obtuse angle therebetween when secured tosaid main trunk to allow for a user to stand between said first framesupport and said second frame support, wherein said handle bar ispositioned at a height between a knee and mid-thigh of said user whensaid user stands straight legged on said ground level of said floor whensaid lower body assist device is positioned erect on said ground levelof said floor, standing behind said lower body assist device and betweensaid first frame support and second frame support with feet on saidfloor, positioning arms to create an angle with a chest between45-degrees and 135-degrees as measured between said feet, shoulders, andhands, bending over substantially at a waist and then gripping saidhandle bar with said hands, exerting a downward force on said lower bodyassist device via said handle bar, and pushing said lower body assistdevice from a starting position to a desired location.
 2. The method ofclaim 1, further comprising the steps of: placing said handle bar andsaid frame in a position relative to one another, wherein changing saidposition causes said height of said lower body assist device to changeto a desired height.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising thesteps of: adjusting an angle between said first frame support and saidsecond frame support, wherein changing said angle between said firstframe support and said second frame support causes said angle betweensaid main trunk and said floor to change.
 4. The method of claim 1,further comprising the steps of: securing said first frame support andsaid second frame support to said lower body assist device between asuperior end and an inferior end of said lower body assist device. 5.The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of: manipulating acomputing device in a way such that said computing device receivesworkout data from a control board of said lower body assist device via awireless communication device, wherein said workout data is collected bya sensor of said lower body assist device, wherein said sensor transmitssaid workout data to said control board.
 6. The method of claim 1,further comprising the steps of: bending knees in a way such that apartial crouch position is assumed.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising the steps of: straightening a back in a way such thatapplication of said downward force engages core muscles.
 8. The methodof claim 1, further comprising the steps of: straightening said armswhen said hands are gripping said handle bar, wherein said arms continueto create an angle with said chest between 45-degrees and 135-degrees asmeasured between said feet, shoulders, and hands.
 9. The method of claim1, further comprising the steps of: adjusting a rolling resistance of atleast one of said plurality of friction reduction apparatuses secured toat least one of said inferior end of said main trunk or a friction endof said first frame support and said second frame support, whereinadjustment of said rolling resistance at least one of increases ordecreases a difficulty of moving said lower body assist device.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, wherein said first frame support and said secondframe support are configured in a way such that they cannot be stood onby said user when said lower body assist device is positioned erect onsaid ground level of said floor.